Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs for OPT Students

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs on OPT require active state licensure, which means passing the NCLEX-PN before you can work. Most LPN roles qualify as STEM-adjacent through healthcare CIP codes, and many hospital systems and long-term care facilities have sponsored OPT students before.

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Overview

Open Jobs6,257+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type99% On-site
Top LocationMemphis, TN
Most JobsMaxim Healthcare

Showing 5 of 6,257+ Licensed Practical Nurse jobs

Baylor Scott & White Health
LVN Clinic Charge
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Baylor Scott & White Health
New 3h ago
LVN Clinic Charge
Baylor Scott & White Health
Brenham, Texas
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
High School
10,000+

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DaVita
Licensed Practical Nurse
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DaVita
New 3h ago
Licensed Practical Nurse
DaVita
West Seneca, New York
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$25/hr - $36/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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BAYADA Home Health Care
LPN - Home Care Nurse
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BAYADA Home Health Care
New 4h ago
LPN - Home Care Nurse
BAYADA Home Health Care
Hibbing, Minnesota
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$25/hr - $29/hr
On-Site
None

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Sharp HealthCare
LVN-General Surgery
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Sharp HealthCare
New 4h ago
LVN-General Surgery
Sharp HealthCare
San Diego, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$30/hr - $37/hr
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Maxim Healthcare
LPN/LVN Homecare
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Maxim Healthcare
New 4h ago
LPN/LVN Homecare
Maxim Healthcare
Burbank, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$51,000/yr - $57,500/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
None
10,000+

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How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Licensed Practical Nurse

Get your state nursing license before applying

You cannot legally work as an LPN without passing the NCLEX-PN and holding an active license in the state where you'll practice. Apply for licensure immediately after graduation so your OPT start date aligns with license approval.

Target long-term care and rehabilitation facilities

Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, and rehab hospitals hire LPNs in high volume and are more accustomed to working with international candidates on OPT than smaller outpatient clinics or private practices.

Confirm your program's CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT

Practical nursing programs under CIP code 51.3901 qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify this with your DSO before applying, since it gives employers a much longer authorization window and improves your hiring odds.

Address your OPT timeline upfront with nurse recruiters

Hospital recruiters screen candidates early on work authorization. Be direct about your OPT end date, whether STEM extension applies, and your H-1B eligibility timeline so recruiters can assess fit without ambiguity on either side.

Highlight clinical hours from your nursing program

Many LPN roles require verified clinical experience. List your supervised clinical rotations, patient contact hours, and any specialties covered during your program. This directly offsets the concern that international candidates lack domestic bedside experience.

Seek employers with established OPT or H-1B sponsorship history

Large hospital networks and national long-term care chains are more likely to have immigration counsel on retainer and prior experience sponsoring nurses. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers who have sponsored OPT workers in healthcare roles before.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as an LPN on OPT without a nursing license?

No. OPT authorizes you to work in your field of study, but state law still requires an active LPN license before you can practice. You must pass the NCLEX-PN and receive licensure approval from the state board before your start date. Applying before OPT begins is the best way to avoid a gap between authorization and eligibility.

Do LPN jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?

Practical nursing programs under CIP code 51.3901 are on the STEM OPT eligible list, so graduates may qualify for the 24-month extension after their initial 12-month OPT period. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility. If you qualify, applying early gives your employer confidence you have a multi-year authorization window.

Which employers typically hire LPNs on OPT?

Large health systems, skilled nursing facilities, and national long-term care chains are the most consistent sources of LPN hiring for OPT students. These organizations employ nurses at scale, have HR teams familiar with work authorization, and are more likely to have sponsored international hires before. Browse Migrate Mate to find LPN roles from employers with documented OPT sponsorship history.

Can an LPN on OPT transition to H-1B sponsorship?

LPN roles are generally classified as requiring an associate-level education, which creates challenges for H-1B eligibility since that visa requires a bachelor's degree in a specialty occupation. Some nurses pursue an LPN-to-RN or BSN bridge program to qualify for H-1B or EB-3 sponsorship. Discussing a long-term pathway with your employer early in your OPT period is worth the conversation.

What happens to my LPN license if I change states during OPT?

Nursing licenses are state-specific. If you relocate for a new role, you must apply for licensure in the new state, either through endorsement or by retaking requirements if that state does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. The Nurse Licensure Compact allows multi-state practice for qualifying nurses, but not every state is a member. Check your current and target state's membership status before accepting a position.

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